Mediterranean Cafe

Let's face it, ethnic dining on the North Shore of Boston usually doesn't mean much more than your typical Chinese or Italian restaurants. But the Mediterranean Cafe in Wakefield is starting to change that.

Owner Duygu Croshaw is very proud of her homemade menu. "We make everything every day, hommus, tabouli, babba ghannouch, falafels, schwarma, grape leaves, stuffed eggplants..."

That's right folks, there is now take-out Mediterranean food in downtown Wakefield, Massachusetts. Although their cuisine represents several Middle Eastern nations, there is a distinct Turkish flavor.

"Me having the Turkish background, I think has a little something to do with it. Because it is different there aren't too many Turkish restaurants around here."

That is certainly for sure. But there are some other reasons why the Mediterranean Cafe stands out as well.

"I think our secret is that I make everything here, every day on a daily basis."

That means purchasing fresh food daily, too.

"We use all fresh ingredients. As we speak my husband is out shopping for stuff tonight."

Grape leaves must be on his shopping list.

"We have grape leaves in different ways-- grape leaf salad, grape leaf plate, grape leaf roll-up."

They have plenty of meat, lamb, and chicken selections on the menu, but vegetarian is the specialty of the house. So you might want to stick to the falafel or stuffed eggplant. But whatever you order at the Mediterranean Cafe, you'll know that you are eating something special.

"I do have a some secret touch as far as the ingredients are concerned. But I'm not going to reveal that... you'll have to wait until I write a cookbook."